Traffic was snarled Wednesday at the intersection of NE Sandy and East Burnside when Portland police nabbed an alleged bank robber after he robbed the HomeStreet Bank at NW 23rd and Burnside.
Sgt. Mike Marshman says the male suspect went to the Albina Community Bank at NE 56th and Sandy after the earlier HomeStreet robbery. Something spooked the suspect, and he left the Albina Bank without attempting a robbery. Staff at the bank called police, and a squad car already in the area pursued the suspect’s blue Hyundai down Sandy before he was trapped by waiting officers at the Sandy-Burnside intersection.
The suspect’s name was not immediately available, but Marshman says this arrest may be connected to a string of about 10 other robberies in the area. No one was hurt in the chase.
Bank robbery! How retro!
How did Albina know that he was a possible bank robber and call the police? I mean, do they automatically call the police every time a guy shows up and doesn’t attempt a transaction, or did he walk in wearing a ski mask, or did HomeStreet send out an e-mail with his picture to all the other banks and Albina recognized it?
Also, what spooked him? Is there a sign on the wall that says “Please remove your ski mask before talking to a teller?” (It isn’t that far out of the question, I’ve seen signs on banks that say “Please lower your hoddie and take off your shades before entering the building.” (Only they don’t use the word “hoodie” or “shades.”))